The system protects itself

Cheats prevail.

Children are taught otherwise, of course.

Teachers share-

Fairy-tales at circle time

About virtue winning through.

But fraudsters and bullies learned early

That the system protects itself

From the inside out.

The perpetrator is protected

While the wounded

Are silenced

Blamed.

By boys raised as heroes

In a society that elevates them

Not for talent or skill

But the privilege

They refuse to acknowledge.

Because they are the only victims.

In the myths.

We hold.

So dear.